August 14, 2013

PEACE

Where do you learn peace? Out fishing on a beautiful stream? Anybody can be peaceful in that kind of environment. So instead, God will put you in traffic jams. He'll give you a day when you have a pop quiz and a rush project and your friend wants to borrow money that you don't have and your computer crashes and your car breaks down and everything's going wrong. And it is there, in the middle of the storm, that you learn peace. 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze' says the Lord". ~Isaiah 43:2 NIV

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son. 

JOY

Joy is different than happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances. I go to Disneyland I'm happy. I go home and realize how much I spent, I'm not happy. Joy is internal. Happiness is external. God will teach you real joy in the middle of grief. 

Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ~Peter 4:13-14 NIV


Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ~2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV


Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". ~John 16:33 NIV


[Warren, Rick, The Purpose Driven Life for Graduates]